HarperVoyager signs 15 in open submission fortnight

HarperVoyager has signed 15 full-length novels from mostly unagented writers, gathered in a two-week open submissions process.

The books were chosen...

HarperVoyager has signed 15 full-length novels from mostly unagented writers, gathered in a two-week open submissions process.

The books were chosen from more than 5,000 entries submitted back in October 2012, when the imprint, HarperCollins' sci-fi and fantasy list, put out its call.

Now, the 15 titles will be released digitally, beginning this winter and continuing throughout 2015. The imprint also has plans to follow the e-book releases with short-run paperback editions.

Natasha Bardon, the newly appointed editorial director of HarperVoyager UK said: "Being able to launch this much new talent is fantastic, especially in a genre which is so difficult to break into. It was great experience doing the open submissions, seeing the amount of voices out there was brilliant. Everyone here came into publishing because we were looking for good stories, so it was heartening to find so many. It was a lot of hard work, but we're not afraid of that."

Bardon added: "We'll be releasing one or two a month, trying to give them their own space and seeing how the market responds to them. They cover a wide range of genres, so it will fascinating to see how the audience reacts."

She said Voyager would "certainly" consider another open submissions process in future.

Among the 15 books are a YA novel about a meteor heading to earth (The Ark by Laura Liddell Nolan), a historical fantasy set in a Viking-esque world (The Rule by Jack Colman) and a large-scale epic fantasy (Among Wolves by Nancy Wallace).

Prices for the 15 titles will vary.

The full list of books is:

Supervision by Alison StineDarkhaven by A.F.E SmithGrey by Christi WhitneyThe Machinery by Gerrard CowanIgnite the Shadows by Ingrid SeymourHero Born by Andy LivingstoneAmong Wolves by Nancy WallaceExile and Pilgrim by Graeme TalboysThe Rule by Jack ColmanUnexpected Rain by Jason LaPierBelt Three by John AyliffThe Ark by Laura Liddell NolenThe Karma Booth by Jeff PearceGraynelore by Stephen MooreA Dead Elf by Terry Newman